Multi-burner gas stove with piezoelectric ignition

ABSTRACT

A multi-burner gas stove utilizing a piezoelectric ignition system for igniting the gas which has a specific gravity greater than air. The system includes a circuit establishing a spark gap located below the outlet of the gas burner so that the combustible gas-air mixture before ignition will gravitate to and envelop the gap and after ignition the flame will be vertically spaced above the gap.

United States Patent 91 Berlincourt et al.

[ MULTI-BURNER GAS STOVE WITH PIEZOELECTRIC IGNITION [75] Inventors: Don A. Berlincourt, Chagrin Falls; Earl O. Schweitzer, Wickliffe, both of Ohio [73] Assignee: Vernitron Corporation, Great Neck,

22 Filed: Jan. 4, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 103,757

52 us. Cl ..431/264 51 1111.01 ..F23q 3/00 58 Field of Search "431/264, 255, 266; 126/39 J [56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/ l969 Riehl ..43l/255X 51 May 1, 1973 l/l959 Hess [26/39 I 3,490,435 l/l970 Rice ..43 l/264 X Primary Examiner-Edward G. Favors A!tornyEdward E. Sachs 57 1 ABSTRACT A multi-burner gas stove utilizing a piezoelectric ignition system for igniting the gas which has a specific gravity greater than air. The system includes a circuit establishing a spark gap located below the outlet of the gas burner so that the combustible gas-air mixture before ignition will gravitate to and envelop the gap and after ignition the flame will be vertically spaced above the gap. 7

Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Patented May 1, 1973 3,730,672

DON A. BERLINCOURT EARL O. SCHWEITZER ATTORNEY FIG I mvsmons MULTI-BURNER GAS STOVE WITH PIEZOELECTRIC IGNITION The invention relates generally to a multi-burner gas stove, particularly of the portable type which is used for camping and the like, in which the gaseous or gasified fuel is ignited by a manually actuated piezoelectric ignition system.

More specifically, the invention concerns a multi burner gas stove which is of a conventional type except to the extent that the same has been -modified to receive and operate in conjunction with a piezoelectric ignition system which is effective to ignite the gas-air mixture which emanates from the burner heads, the gas mixing with air as it emanates from a conventional orifice.

In the prior art it is common practice to light single or multi-burner stoves, one burner at a time, with matches, cigarette lighters, or similar devices. As is well known, the use of such lighting implements frequently leads to difficulties or problems when the lighting has to occur in a drafty or windy area as is quite common in camping environments. Secondly, due to the accumulations of gas prior to ignition around the gas burner head orifices, the ignition is often accompanied by minor explosions or flashes which, in severe cases, can lead to a hazardous situation and result in injury to those holding the lighting implement in close proximity to the burner head.

It is the primary objective of this invention to provide a multi-burner gas stove in which the individual gas burner heads can be lit individually or simultaneously from a remotely located single manually actuable igniter thereby obviating the need for any other and more hazardous lighting implement.

While the invention is of major importance to and primarily concerned with a multi-burner gasstove, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that certain features of the invention can be also beneficially used in conjunction with the operation of a single burner head, or a gas heater.

An aspect of the present invention resides in the provision of a single or multi-head gas burner device, such as a gas stove, provided with a piezoelectric ignition system. The device includes a plurality of hollow gas burner heads each having a wall with at least one gas outlet formed therein with the head being connected or connectible to a source of gasified fuel having a specific gravity greater than air. In turn, a gas conduit connects to each of the heads for supplying the fuel thereto and a shut-off valve is arranged in each conduit for each head. The device further includes a piezoelectric voltage source and an electric circuit associated with the voltage source forming together an ignition system with the system having electrodes connected in series establishing proximate to each head, i.e., in a directly facing relationship, verticallybelow the discharge end of the gas outlet, a spark gap which is located either within the hollow confines of the head For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section of a multi-burner device and further illustrates, diagrammatically, the piezoelectric system associated with the burners.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a modified single burner; and

FIG. 3 is, generally, a top view of the burner head and electrode shown in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there are shown a plurality of hollow gas burner heads 10,12,14, each being formed substantially like a cone or cup-like member in which a portion of the cone is inverted, see 18. The bottom portion 16 of each burner head is provided with a gas inlet opening and the aforementioned inverted portion 18 isprovided with a plurality of gas outlets 20, each having a predetermined angularity relative to the horizontal in order to direct a gas stream which emanates therefrom in the required direction. Each outlet 20 is located substantially spaced from the bottom of theinverted cone portion 18 and is adapted to release a gaseous fuel into the hollow trough formed by theinverse cone-like member 18.

The bottom portion 16 of the hollow burner head is adapted to receive a gas conduit 22 provided with an orifice 24. The conduit 22 is connected to a source of fuel, the supply of which is controlled by a shut-off valve 26. i 1

In order to facilitate the proper operation of this invention it is necessary that the fuel has a density higher than air, i.e., has a gas specific gravity greater than 1. Typical gases or gas-air mixtures are commercial propane, with a'specific gravity of 1.52; commercial butane, 2.01; iso-butane, 2.006. The specific gravity of natural gas appears to vary depending upon the particular gas field from which it is derived and thus may, or may not, be suitable for use in conjunction with this invention. However, generally, any other gas with a specific gravity substantially above 1.0 and having suitable combustible characteristics should be operamounting bracket 27 which also facilitates a connecwhen the latter is formed as a cup-like structure or tion to ground as will hereinafter become more apparent. 7

The ignition system comprises a manually actuated piezoelectric voltagesource, for instance of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,469,119 or US. Pat. No. 3,449,637, shown herein diagrammatically at 28. The device includes at least one piezoelectric element, one side of which is electrically connected to an electrode 30 and the other side or end of the piezoelectric element is connected to ground by means of an electrode 32. The electrode 30, or hot lead, forms, in conjunction with electrode 32, an electric circuit which, as already noted above, is electrically connected to the voltage source 28 and establishes in each head 10,12,14, a

I spark gap 34,36,38, respectively, each of which is connected to the other electrically in series. More specifically, the electrode 30 extends horizontally through the lower segment of the inverted cone 18 to establish the spark gaps 34, 36,38 proximate to each head and, importantly, vertically below the gas outlets 20. The approximately horizontal projection of the electrode 30 through the burner head requires, in the case of metal burner heads, insulation, as shown, in order to prevent short-circuiting of the system. This is true for the electrode forming gaps 34 and 36 but only partially applicable to the electrode forming gap 38. Due to the conductive capability of the burner head 14 and due to the electrical association of electrode 32 with the burner head, a gap is established by and between the end of the hot lead electrode 30 and the metallic wall of the burner head 14.

In operation, one or more of the valves 26 are opened so as to permit gaseous fuel to be supplied into the burner head portion 16 which will ultimately be forced, under pressure, through the vertically elevated gas outlets 20 from whence the combustible gas will gravitate into the trough formed by the inverse cone 18, ultimately causing the gap, e.g., 34, to be enveloped by gas. Upon manual actuation of the piezoelectric voltage source 28, the gap 34 is ionized and the gas becomes ignited. Subsequent to ignition, the flame rises above the spark gap due to the predetermined direction of the gas stream out of the outlet 20 and the location of the gas outlets 20 vertically above the gap 34.

All of the burner heads may be selectively or simultaneously ignited by the method just described. In order to facilitate such simultaneous ignition, care must be exercised that the gap is not located within the gas stream emanating out of the gas outlet 20. Locating the gap within the gas stream subjects the gap to extreme heat causing ionization between the gap and the burner head wall, thereby short circuiting the system. It is for this reason that it is of ultimate importance in carrying out this invention that a suitable vertical distance be provided between the area of the flame and the spark gap. In accordance with the invention, once, for example, burner head 10 is burning and it is desired to ignite 'burner head 12, the valve associated with head 12 is opened and thepiezoelectric voltage source 28 is actuated, thereby causing the spark to jump gaps 34 and 38 as well as gap 36. Since the gaseous fuel has now enveloped the gap 36 the fuel in the burner head will ignite. On the other hand, it must be emphasized that if the flame established in burner head 10 is too close to the gap, ionization will occur between the co-called hot end of electrode 30 establishing gap 34 and the closest metallic region of the head 10. Such an ionization between the electrode forming gap and the wall of the head 10 causes the voltage to be short-circuited through bracket 27 and ground electrode 32.

The same principle above described with respect to heads 10 and 12'applies also to the operation of head 14, which can be readily ignited regardless of whether or not heads 10 and 12 are already burning, provided, again, that a proper spacial relationship is maintained between the flame and the structural environment which controls the location of the flame and the gap. The burner head may, of course, also be operated in a converse manner 14,12 and 10 or, in fact, in any order.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 there is shown a modified burner head 40 comprised of a cylindrical configuration which is closed at both ends and in whichthe circumferential sidewalls are provided with a plurality of gas outlets 42. The electrode 44, which is comparable to electrode 30 of FIG. 1, establishes a spark gap 46 in proximity to the burner head, on the outside wall thereof, and vertically below the gas outlets 42. This will again cause the heavier-than-air gaseous fuel to gravitate towards the gap 46 and, after the gas has been ignited, the flame will be sufficiently remote from the gap so that an ionization of the region between the electrode 44 and the wall or associated structures is prevented. Asalready noted above, the recognition that the location of the orifices relative to the spark gap is vital and enables the ignition of a multi-burner gas system with a single piezoelectric element. It will be appreciated, however, that these basic recognitions will be helpful in the related art and also for single-burnerlike applications.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is aimed, therefore, in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

gas conduit means connecting to each of said heads for supplying said fuel thereto; Y

a shut-off valve in each conduit for each head;

a piezoelectric voltage source;

and an electric circuit associated with said voltage source forming together an ignition system, said system having electrodes connected in series establishing proximate to each head in direct facial relationship vertically below the discharge end of said gas outlet a spark gap located externally to and operably remote from the burner head;

said ignition system being effective, in response to actuation of said voltage source, to ignite, simultaneously, all fuel containing burner heads.

2. A gas burner device, such as a stove, having a piezoelectric ignition system, comprising in combination:

a hollow burner head having a wall with at least one gas outlet formed therein;

a source of gasified fuel having a specific gravity greater than air;

gas conduit and control means connecting to said head for supplying a controlled amount of fuel thereto;

a piezoelectric voltage source;

and an electric circuit associated with said voltage source forming together an ignition system, said system having electrodes establishing proximate to the head in direct facial relationship and vertically below the discharge end of said gas outlet a spark gap located externally to and operably remote from the burner head;

said ignition system being effective in response to actuation of said voltage source, to ignite said fuel.

3. A multi-head gas burner device, such as a gas stove, having a piezoelectric ignition system, comprising in combination:

a plurality of hollow gas burner heads, each having a wall with at least one gas outlet formed therein;

a source of gasified fuel having a specific gravity greater than air;

gas conduit means connecting to each of said heads for supplying said fuel thereto;

a shut-off valve in each conduit for each head;

a piezoelectric voltage source;

and an electric circuit associated with said voltage source forming together an ignition system, said system having electrodes connected in series establishing proximate to each head in direct facial relationship vertically below the discharge end of said gas outlet a spark gap, wherein each burner head forms a structure of cup-like configuration with an upwardly extending peripheral wall thereof providing said gas outlet; and wherein said spark gap is located within hollow confines of the cup-like structure of at least one said burner head; said ignition system being effective, in response to actuation of said voltage source, to ignite, simultaneously, all fuel containing burner heads.

4. A multi-head burner device according to claim 3, wherein at least one electrodeforming said spark gap projects generally in a horizontal plane into the cuplike structure.

5. multi-head burner device according to claim 4, wherein two electrodes forming a single spark gap extend generally in a horizontal plane into the cup-like structure.

6. A multi-head burner device according to claim 5, wherein the electrodes forming said single gap enter through said wall into said cup-like structure from substantially opposite'directions.

7. A gas burner device, such as a stove, having a piezoelectric ignition system, comprising in combination:

a hollow burner head having a wall with at least one gas outlet formed therein;

a source of gasifiedfuel having a specific gravity greater than air;

gas conduit and control means connecting to said head for supplying a controlled amount of fuel thereto;

a piezoelectric voltage source;

and an electric circuit associated with said voltage source forming together an ignition system, said system having electrodes establishing proximate to the head in direct facial relationship and vertically below the discharge end of said gas outlet a spark gap, wherein the burner head forms a structure of cup-like configuration with an upwardly extending peripheral wall thereof providing said gas outlet;

and wherein said spark gap is located within hollow confines of the cup-like structure of at least one said burner head,-

said ignition system being effective in response to'actuation of said v olta ge s ougce to ignite said fuel. 

1. A multi-head gas burner device, such as a gas stove, having a piezoelectric ignition system, comprising in combination: a plurality of hollow gas burner heads, each having a wall with at least one gas outlet formed therein; a source of gasified fuel having a specific gravity greater than air; gas conduit means connecting to each of said heads for supplying said fuel thereto; a shut-off valve in each conduit for each head; a piezoelectric voltage source; and an electric circuit associated with said voltage source forming together an ignition system, said system having electrodes connected in series establishing proximate to each head in direct facial relationship vertically below the discharge end of said gas outlet a spark gap located externally to and operably remote from the burner head; said ignition system being effective, in response to actuation of said voltage source, to ignite, simultaneously, all fuel containing burner heads.
 2. A gas burner device, such as a stove, having a piezoelectric ignition system, comprising in combination: a hollow burner head having a wall with at least one gas outlet formed therein; a source of gasified fuel having a specific gravity greater than air; gas conduit and control means connecting to said head for supplying a controlled amount of fuel thereto; a piezoelectric voltage source; and an electric circuit associated with said voltage source forming together an ignition system, said system having electrodes establishing proximate to the head in direct facial relationship and vertically below the discharge end of said gas outlet a spark gap located externally to and operably remote from the burner head; said ignition system being effective in response to actuation of said voltage source, to ignite said fuel.
 3. A multi-head gas burner device, such as a gas stove, having a piezoelectric ignition system, comprising in combination: a plurality of hollow gas burner heads, each having a wall with at least one gas outlet formed therein; a source of gasified fuel having a specific gravity greater than air; gas conduit means connecting to each of said heads for supplying said fuel thereto; a shut-off valve in each conduit for each head; a piezoelectric voltage source; and an electric circuit associated with said voltage source forming together an ignition system, said system having electrodes connected in series establishing proximate to each head in direct facial relationship vertically below the discharge end of said gas outlet a spark gap, wherein each burner head forms a structure of cup-like configuration with an upwardly extending peripheral wall thereof providing said gas outlet; and wherein said spark gap is located within hollow confines of the cup-like structure of at least one said burner head; said ignition system being effective, in response to actuation of said voltage source, to ignite, simultaneously, all fuel containing burner heads.
 4. A multi-head burner device according to claim 3, wherein at least one electrode forming said spark gap projects generally in a horizontal plane into the cup-like structure.
 5. A multi-head burner device according to claim 4, wherein two electrodes forming a single spark gap extend generally in a horizontal plane into the cup-like structure.
 6. A multi-head burner device according to claim 5, wherein the electrodes forming said single gap enter through said wall into said cup-like structure from substantially opposite directions.
 7. A gas burner device, such as a stove, having a piezoelectric ignition system, comprising in combination: a hollow burner head having a wall with at least one gas outlet formed therein; a sourCe of gasified fuel having a specific gravity greater than air; gas conduit and control means connecting to said head for supplying a controlled amount of fuel thereto; a piezoelectric voltage source; and an electric circuit associated with said voltage source forming together an ignition system, said system having electrodes establishing proximate to the head in direct facial relationship and vertically below the discharge end of said gas outlet a spark gap, wherein the burner head forms a structure of cup-like configuration with an upwardly extending peripheral wall thereof providing said gas outlet; and wherein said spark gap is located within hollow confines of the cup-like structure of at least one said burner head, said ignition system being effective in response to actuation of said voltage source, to ignite said fuel. 